HB 381 recognizes that Alaskan residents have right to use deadly force to protect their families, persons and property whether they are at home, work, or in any place they have a right to be present. It does this by expanding your right to stand your ground when threatened and by making statutes clearly state that deadly force is justified in the case of burglary, kidnapping of household members and carjacking of occupied vehicles.

By expanding the rights of Alaskans to stand their ground to any place they are legally present we tell our residents that their decision to use deadly force to defend themselves and their families will not be second judged, and makes it clear that it is criminals who have a duty to retreat.

Making burglary, carjacking of occupied vehicles and the kidnapping of a household member prima facie evidence of the reasonable use of force recognizes that these crimes are unambiguous threats and Alaskans who respond with deadly force are standing upon strong legal ground.

I believe that HB 381 strengthens the legal recognition of the basic human right of self defense and ask for your support.